review by thomas

Things started to improve on their third release. Geddy Lee (bass, vocals), Alex Lifeson (guitars) and the amazing Neil Peart (percussion) moves on towards the hard powerprog that they almost created (no, no, I don't mean powerprog á la Magnum, Saga or Styx. These are softrockers with a few progressive tendencies. Perhaps prog-metal are a more proper tag). Anyway, this album kicks off with the hardrocker "Bastille Day" about the French Revolution, followed by the weak spots of the album, "I Think I'm Going Bald" and "Lakeside Park". Then comes the 12-minute "The Necromancer" divided into three parts; this is clearly the highlight of the album. The last song is their first attempt at a wholeside epic - "The Fountain of Lamneth" also divided into several parts. It's a good song, but it doesn't hold together that great. Finally: don't be alarmed by Geddy's high-pitched falsetto voice, you will get used to it.